New Taxi Service in Lamorinda: Taxi Bleu

Orinda

(925) 849-2222

www.mytaxibleu.com

Just a few months ago, Joseph Teman started a new Lamorinda taxi service: Taxi Bleu, an Orinda-based company serving Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda and Walnut Creek.  “This is a free country and the market is open to competition,” says owner Joseph Teman who is partnering with long time friend Normand Plouffe.  An Orindan for 22 years, Teman – who is originally from France – has lived in the United States for 24 years.  His daughter graduated from Miramonte High School in June. All of his first three cars are hybrids, painted a bright blue (as opposed to the famous Taxis Bleus in Paris that come in all sorts of shapes and colors).  Business has been good since he started a few months ago, says Teman, picking up people at BART and driving people to airports or to go about their business.  “I also worked in the limousine business,” he adds. “I want my drivers and I to offer the same excellent customer service.”  Teman is in the process of acquiring a mini-van to serve large families and is always on the lookout for drivers with an impeccable record who can also provide clients with a friendly experience. 

P & L Framing Location Correction

1005 Oak Hill Rd., Lafayette

(925) 283-4668

P&L Framing customer Mandy McManus (right) discuss framing with Tiphanie Ortman. Photo Sophie Braccini

In our July 31 business article, “Future Face Lift for Fiesta Lane,” we wrote that the businesses in the Fiesta Lane building, off Lafayette Circle – The Storyteller, P & L Framing, and Treasure Trove – had all moved to the Lafayette Plaza, behind McCaulou’s and Peet’s Coffee.  This is not true of P & L Framing, which had moved instead to 1005 Oak Hill Rd., across the street from Millie’s Kitchen, past Uncle Yu’s restaurant.  “This is our fourth location in 20 years,” says Tiphanie Ortman, granddaughter of founder Lila Lomax, who now runs the store with her mother and manager, Sharon Evans.  “She had a wonderful eye for things,” says Mandy McManus, a returning customer who’s been bringing her rare finds and family heirlooms to P & L for framing over the past 20 years.  Ortman says that repeat business is one of P & L’s strengths, as well as being able to frame anything of any size. “We even did a full size mannequin and a diesel engine,” she says.

Moraga Employees of the Month for June and July

From left: Moraga Rotary President Frank May, Nation's manager Jom Doangnaly, Nation's Executive Vice President Grant Power and Moraga Chamber Vice President Kevin Reneau. Photos T.C. Andre

Jom Douangnaly and Vickie Devlin were named Moraga Employee of the Month for June and July, respectively.  Douangnaly, the popular store manager of Nation's Hamburgers in the Rheem Shopping Center, began his career at Nation's eight years ago as a shift manager and was promoted to store manager in 2011. Douangnaly is noted for his superior customer service and his wide smile which greets all those who enter the restaurant. “We are blessed to have somebody like Jom in our company," said Nation's Executive Vice President Grant Power. “He's tremendously hard working, reliable as anybody in the company and continually challenges himself to improve and grow. What really sets him apart is his humility and teachability. He's always improving and growing and we're now using him to help train other owners in the area. He's just a great employee.”

From left: Moraga Rotary President Nora Avelar, Vickie Devlin, Wells Fargo manager Catherine Saadeh and Moraga Chamber Vice President Kevin Reneau.

                Devlin, who has been serving Wells Fargo bank customers for the last 35 years, is a wealth advisor for the bank and also extremely active in the local community.  In addition to many volunteer duties, Devlin is a past president of the Moraga Rotary and formerly served as a member of the Moraga Chamber of Commerce board of directors.  She is a local product, having graduated from Campolindo High School. “Vickie is truly a local icon and a large part of the face of our company to the public,” said Wells Fargo Manager Catherine Saadeh.   “She has many loyal customers and is always quick to volunteer for community events. She truly represents Wells Fargo in her community outreach and we're proud that she has won this award.”

                The Rotary and Chamber awarded Douangnaly a $50 gift card to Safeway as well as a $50 gift certificate to CVS Pharmacy July 15; Devlin received a $50 Safeway gift card and a $50 gift certificate to Pennini’s Restaurant on July 30.

News from the three Chambers of Commerce

Lamorinda Community Picnic Tomorrow!

The three chambers and a number of Lamorinda associations have been cooking up ways for the three communities to collaborate on public events. First up is the Lamorinda Community Picnic beginning at 4 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 at the Moraga Commons Park. Bring a picnic or purchase dinner there. Old fashioned picnic games will begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by a concert in the park from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. by Zebop! - the "Santana cover band." Free admission.

Lafayette   

Entrepreneur Club at 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 15 in the chamber conference room.

Save the date for the 18th Annual Lafayette Art and Wine Festival, Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 21-22.

Moraga

Community Barbecue starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 27 in the Moraga Commons Park. Open to the entire community, this event is sponsored by Safeway and the chamber. To RSVP call Kathe Nelson, (925) 323-6524.

Orinda

The Orinda Chamber joined the Western Association of Chamber Executives This organization exists to guide and promote chambers of commerce in the western United States. The chamber will be accessing guidance from this organization to improve its service to members and enhance internal systems. For more information about W.A.C.E., visit: www.waceonline.com.

Mark your calendars for “September in Orinda,” a series of classic local events.  The Orinda Classic Car Show Weekend, Sept. 20-22, begins with the pre-show party Sept. 20, the Car show Sept. 21 and the Sunday Movie night on Sept. 22.  More info and tickets are available at OrindaCarShow.com.  Then on Tuesday, Sept. 24, Orinda will celebrate its restaurant row with the 6th Annual Restaurant Tour.